Starting a Business

Books & eBooks

Skokie Library has a large collection of books on a variety of business topics.  The latest management books and a special collection devoted to the needs of small businesses are all available at the Library. This page contains a selection of some of the newer titles or use the library catalog to browse the complete collection.

Additionally, two collections of instantly available eBooks, Books24x7 and Safari Books online, provide a wide variety of business books that can be read on your ocmputer. Skokie Public Library also offers a variety of downloadable eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eZines that can be enjoyed on your computer xreen, eReader, tablet or smart phone.

All of these materials may be accessed using your SkokiePublic Library card.

Computers, Internet Access and Training

There are many computers throughout the library building with Microsoft Office applications, Internet access, and links to the Library's subscription databases.  Call the computer lab at 847.324.3179 or log into PC Reservatiosn in the library to reserve one of the computers. Free wifi is available throughout the building. Bring your own laptop, or borrow one with a Skokie Library card.

Atomic Learning, LearningExpressLibrary.com and Lynda.com databases provide online tutorials on popular computer applications.  More information is available on the Library Database page.

For more instruction there are Internet classes and Tech Talks available at the library.

Business & Career Center and Small Rooms for Study

The Business & Career Center on the second floor of the Library is available exclusively for business users. It is a self-service suite of three rooms, a Large room that can accommodate up to 45 people and is equipped for training sessions, a Committee Room, ideal for meetings of 6 to 16 people and a small Committee room with space for 4 people. Anyone who has a Skokie Public Library business library card is eligible to use the suite. For more information on how to get a business library card, call the Circulation Department at 847-673-7774.

Once you have a business library card, you may:

• Reserve the Committee Room or Conference Room using the online study room booking system. These rooms may be reserved up to 7 days in advance.
• Use the suite as a quiet place to read or work when it is not being used for a scheduled event. Check out a key at the Reference Desk.
• Apply to use the Large Room for a meeting, with advance approval of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce or the North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau.For more information, contact Karolyn Fukuda at 847-324-3127 or kfukuda@skokielibrary.info.

There are also 10 small study rooms on the second floor that you may use to meet with clients, conduct business, or use as your office away from home. Reservations for these rooms must be made through the study room booking system

Databases

The Library subscribes to a number of databases that are helpful to a small business owner. These databases go beyond what can be found on the Internet and can assist a business in designing a marketing plan, creating mailing lists, or doing basic research.  These databases can be found on the Database page of the Library website and are available at Skokie Public Library or via the Internet with a Skokie Public Library card. 

For more information on how to get a business library card call the Circulation Department  at 847-673-7774.

Research Specialists

Librarians can help you with your research requests. For assistance:

• Stop by the Reference Desk on the 2nd floor of the library
• Call a reference librarian at 847-673-3733
• Email askref@skokielibrary.info
• Send a chat message via Ask Skokie 
• Make a one-on-one appointment

Skokie Public Library
5215 Oakton
Skokie, IL 60077
847-673-7774
askref@skokielibrary.info

Check out your Competition

Where is your competition located? 

With ReferenceUSA you can find out who and where your competition is by creating lists of comparable businesses in various locations around the US (all the day care businesses in the 60077 area code for instance). 

GoogleMaps allows you to see your competition on a map, often revealing more than a mere list of businesses. Registering your business on GoogleMaps can be a powerful marketing tool, because it will appear when someone does a Google search for that type of business in a a particular area. 

SizeUp is a free SBA sponsored business intelligence tool. Businesses and potential businesses can benchmark against competitors, map customers, competitors and suppliers, and locate the best places to advertise using SizeUp.